Sheriff's Office News

During the morning of September 7, 2020, Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies began getting calls from people reporting a wide-spread series of overnight burglaries, stolen cars, and car break-ins. The crimes were reported at multiple addresses north of Highway 26 in and around the communities of Cedar Mill and Bethany.

On Friday, September 4, 2020, law enforcement officers from several local agencies will join forces for<br />a targeted DUII enforcement mission along major roadways in Washington County, including Highway<br />26 and Highway 217. National statistics show an increase in the number of traffic fatalities, including a<br />higher death rate during holiday weekends like Labor Day. This three-day mission is designed to<br />educate and deter people from getting behind the wheel while impaired and to take enforcement<br />against impaired drivers.

Yesterday, Governor Brown issued a statement asking local law enforcement leaders to provide personnel and resources to assist the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), following Saturday's shooting death that was connected to protests.

UPDATE: Jordan Brown turned himself in to deputies tonight after seeing himself on the news.  He called at least two local news organizations to get help turning himself in. After receiving information from the news organizations, deputies contacted Mr. Brown and arranged to meet him so he could turn himself in.  Mr. Brown was booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

On August 28, 2020, at 4:59 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to multiple 911 calls at Hagg Lake in western Washington County. Callers were reporting that a person had been struck by a boat in the water and was severely injured.

On August 21, 2020, Deputy Jason McLaughlin arrested the 2,000th impaired driver of his career.

On August 20, 2020, at 12:41 am, a Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputy located a black Lexus failing to maintain their lane on Highway 26 eastbound near the Cedar Hills Blvd exit. The deputy initiated a traffic stop for the violation and reasonable suspicion of drunk driving. The driver of the vehicle stopped and was contacted by the deputy, who observed multiple signs of impairment. The driver provided the deputy a false name and date of birth, and after being questioned, took off from the traffic stop, striking the deputy with the vehicle. The deputy did not sustain any injuries.

On August 16, 2020, at 10:46 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies were alerted to a bait package that was taken from a residence in Aloha. Investigators were able to real-time track the package to a parking lot at Aloha High School. Deputies found 19-year-old Eric R. Gonzalez sitting inside a vehicle near the area where the bait package was tracking. Mr. Gonzalez admitted to taking the package after seeing it sitting unattended on a porch. The stolen package was found inside of Mr. Gonzalez’s vehicle.

On August 12, 2020, at approximately 10:48 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a vacant home at the corner of SW 174th Avenue and SW Arborcrest Way in the community of Aloha. Neighbors had reported a fire and said they had heard explosions coming from the house. Deputies, along with fire crews from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, responded to the location, but soon retreated to a safe distance after an unknown man threw an empty wine bottle and part of a shotgun at the deputy.

In April 2020, Washington County Sheriff’s Office detectives opened an investigation after learning a former Nike employee had secretly recorded dozens of men going to the bathroom.